Ventilator is a machine that helps our lungs to work properly. Sometime due to certain acute or chronic medical conditions lungs of patient are not able to properly function to inhale or exhale air. This condition is called respiratory failure and may result in death of our vital organs resulting in expiry of patient.
How Does A Mechanical Ventilator Work?
A mechanical ventilator uses pressure to push oxygen rich air into body’s airways and to remove carbon dioxide from body. A ventilator tube/mask may be inserted into any airway like mouth, nose, throat, larynx, trachea or lung tubes. Usually a mask or fitted tube is used for this purpose.
What Are Conditions When Patient in Put on Ventilator?
When our lungs are not able to properly contract and relax to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, we need help of artificial respirator or mechanical ventilator. Following are some common situations/conditions where patient needs artificial breathing with the help of ventilator:
During Surgery Under Sedatives
During some critical surgical operations it is required to put patient on sedatives and ventilator to make sure proper breathing is not disrupted during the procedure. This may be for some hours only.
Asthma Attacks
During severe attacks of asthma respiration process is badly affected. If inhalers and medications are not sufficient to open the airways and get enough oxygen, patient may be put on ventilator.
Coma
Coma is a state of unconsciousness that lasts for a long period of time (few hours to few years). This can be due to head injury, head tumors or other reasons. In some coma patients, respiratory failure is also seen and need use of mechanical ventilator.
Stroke
Stroke is also known as brain attack where some portion of brain my die to disruption of oxygen rich blood supply. This may be due to clot, thrombosis or perforation of any brain blood vessel. During stroke if part of the part of brain that controls breathing process is affected, artificial respiration may be needed with the help of mechanical ventilator.
Other common causes may include:
- Cardiac Failure
- Pneumonia
- Brain Injury
- Collapsed Lungs
- Infection of lungs
- Plural effusion
- Improper lungs development in babies
If you have a patient that needs long term ventilator care then you can contact us.
